Chapter 121 Use Her
This version of Quinley—Zachary knew her well.
Bold and fierce, with a spine no one could break. She never bullied the weak, but if someone mistook her for an easy target, she'd strike back with the sharpest thorns she had.
While Lisa flailed in the pool, Helen called for help and had her fished out.
"I told you not to cause trouble. You wouldn't listen, and now you've made The Brown family a laughingstock." Helen handed Lisa a towel and led her toward the changing room.
Lisa, still smarting from Quinley's humiliation, was in no mood for lectures. "How is this my fault? That bitch set me up. If it wasn't for her, would I be in this state?"
Her stubborn denial fell on deaf ears. Helen didn't bother arguing.
Lisa changed clothes, her hair still damp, when Alicia appeared with crossed arms.
"Helen. Get out."
Her voice cut like a blade.
"Ms. Davis, my sister's a victim too. Please, can't you let this go?" Helen's plea came out small, humble.
Alicia's cold gaze swept over her. "Are you deaf?"
"Helen, just go." Lisa stood, physically pushing her sister toward the door.
The changing room door locked from the inside. Now it was just Lisa and Alicia.
Lisa, knowing she was in the wrong, couldn't meet Alicia's eyes.
Ten minutes ago, Alicia had witnessed the entire fiasco. When Quinley was being pranked, she'd felt triumphant. Lisa getting revenge on her behalf? Perfect. Except Lisa proved herself utterly useless—defeated in less than one round, then played for a fool by Quinley. Alicia had been expecting a comeback, not watching Lisa actually fall for Quinley's trap.
The moment Lisa jumped in the pool, Quinley had materialized in front of Alicia.
"Ms. Davis, guess what Lisa just told me?" Quinley's mysterious smile carried a wicked glint in her eyes.
Alicia had never seen this side of Quinley. In public, she always maintained that well-mannered, refined image. So despite her rising panic, Alicia forced herself to stay calm.
"What?"
"Lisa said you wanted to use her as your weapon."
Quinley repeated it word for word. Heads turned. Everyone stared at Alicia in shock. Embarrassment flooded her face, turning it alternating shades of red and white.
Quinley just smiled and walked away.
The memory made Alicia's anger spike all over again. You could handle a wolf-like opponent. It was pig-like teammates you had to watch out for. She'd stormed straight to the changing room to confront Lisa.
"Are you actually stupid? You're the one who wanted to take her down, so why the hell did you throw me under the bus?" Alicia's delicate face flushed crimson as she got in Lisa's face.
She was the Davis family's only daughter, the most prestigious young woman in all of Rosewood City. She would not be made a fool of.
"Ms. Davis—" Lisa couldn't afford to cross Alicia.
She rushed to apologize. "This isn't my fault. Quinley tricked me. She backed me into a corner and forced me to admit you were involved. She had me by the throat—I had no choice, so I..."
Explanations were just excuses. Alicia rolled her eyes.
"You Browns want to fight amongst yourselves? Leave me out of it." She turned to leave, but Lisa hurried after her.
Alicia came from money, an only child drowning in affection—the complete opposite of Lisa's situation. Lisa felt equal parts envy and jealousy. She enjoyed playing sidekick to Alicia because it fed her inflated ego. But crossing Alicia? That would shut her out of certain circles permanently.
"Ms. Davis, wait. That bitch destroyed your relationship with Mr. Jennings and made you the biggest joke in Rosewood City. Are you really going to let that slide?"
Lisa struck at Alicia's rawest nerve.
"Sure, she won this round. But can she keep winning forever?" Lisa leaned in close, whispering a new scheme into Alicia's ear.
Another dirty trick. This time, Alicia approached with more caution.
"I didn't hear anything. I don't know what you're planning. Just don't drag me down with you if things go south, or else—"
Before the threat could fully form, Lisa raised her right hand. "I, Lisa, swear to heaven that I will never betray Ms. Davis."
After leaving the pool area, Quinley went to find David. With so many people around, and after her confrontation with Lisa, she doubted this was over. David was having a blast with his friends and seemed reluctant when she said she wanted to leave.
"How about this—you stay and have fun. I'll head home."
Quinley didn't want to kill his vibe.
"Just text me when you get there." David relented.
"Will do."
Quinley headed toward the estate's main entrance. She'd barely taken a few steps when she ran into Helen.
"Helen."
Quinley greeted her first.
"Ms. Elikin, could you spare a moment? I'd like to talk." Helen's invitation came suddenly.
She was already walking toward a pavilion—a quiet, secluded spot perfect for private conversations.
Helen left a bland impression on most people. She had no real presence, never said much, and avoided getting involved in conflicts whenever possible.
Quinley followed her into the pavilion, where a complete tea set was laid out. Helen sat down and began heating water, her movements practiced and unhurried. She didn't speak, so Quinley remained silent too.
Quinley knew this was about Lisa's dunking in the pool. Lisa had pranked her first. Quinley had retaliated. Technically, she'd done nothing wrong. But her position had changed—she had one foot in The Brown family now. Once she married David, she'd be the family's lady. Learning to see the bigger picture was lesson number one.
Helen made Quinley a cup of coffee, then poured one for herself.
"You know what I'm going to say, don't you?" Helen slid the coffee toward Quinley, maintaining the dignified air expected of The Brown family's eldest daughter.
"You think I embarrassed The Brown family today?"
Quinley cut straight to it.
Helen's gaze settled calmly on her. "Ms. Elikin, I'm not opposed to you teaching Lisa a lesson. She overstepped and deserved consequences. However, you need to think things through before acting. You can't only consider yourself and ignore The Brown family's reputation."
Helen lived by the rules. Quinley respected that, but there were many ways to live. Being overly rigid seemed exhausting.
"I'll remember that."
Quinley's acknowledgment came out flat.
Helen smiled faintly. "Try the coffee."
It was premium quality, just not to Quinley's taste. She forced down one sip, set the cup down, and stood. "I'm tired. I should go."
Helen nodded. Quinley stepped out of the pavilion.
She didn't dislike Helen. The woman kept her edges filed down, never showing overt hostility. But Quinley understood—hostility could be worn openly or hidden away. Lisa was the former. Helen was definitely the latter.
She'd barely taken a few steps when Lisa appeared with several young people, surrounding her.